Alarmel Valli: an extraordinary dancer 
- Rachel Bilski-Cohen, Israel 

July 2, 2009 

 
I am dance consultant to the Israel Festival in Jerusalem. I am also a dance scholar and critic and have great interest in classical Indian dance. I am receiving the narthaki newsletter regularly and am taking great interest in reading it.  

Moreover, I had asked advice from you (narthaki.com) about dance schools in Orissa, and you had kindly sent me a list. Indeed I have visited Orissa in February 2009 and following your advice had made contact with three Gurus and dance schools, all in Bhubaneswar. I have visited them at length, and have established good contact with them. These visits and contacts have been absolutely fascinating. The schools were: Artvision - Ileana Citaristi, Nrutyayan - Durga Charan Ranbir, and Srjan (Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Nrityabasa) - Ratikant Mohapatra.  

I would also like to mention about the outstanding visit and performance of the renowned Bharatanatyam dancer Alarmel Valli from Chennai at our Israel Festival in May 2009.  

Alarmel Valli is an extraordinary dancer and a great artiste. The minute the curtain opened and Alarmel set her foot on the stage, a miracle happened. She was transformed from a normal human being into a wonderful spiritual, devotee of the Lord of Dance. Her stage presence, her faultless technique, her complete mastery of the art, together with her captivating expressions, were absolutely magnificent. The viewer was transported with her and through her to another transcendental world.  
  

Rachel Bilski-Cohen is the Dance Consultant, Israel Festival.